Kupffer Cell Markers

Kupffer cells or Browicz-Kupffer cells
are specialized macrophages located in the liver that form part of
the reticuloendothelial system (aka: mononuclear phagocyte system).
The cells were first observed by Karl Wilhelm von Kupffer in 1876.
The scientist called them "sternzellen" (star cells or stellate
cells) but thought falsely that they were an integral part of the
endothelium of the liver blood vessels and that they originated from
it. In 1898, after several years of research, Tadeusz Browicz
identified them correctly as macrophages.

Their development begins in the bone marrow with
the genesis of promonocytes and monoblasts into monocytes and then
on to peripheral blood monocytes completing their differentiation
into Kupffer cells.

The primary function of Kupffer cells is to
recycle old red blood cells that no longer are functional. The red
blood cell is broken down by phagocytic action and the hemoglobin
molecule is split. The globin chains are reutilized while the iron
containing portion or heme is further broken down into iron which is
reutilized and bilirubin, which is conjugated with glucuronic acid
within hepatocytes and secreted into the bile.

Helmy et al. identified a receptor present in
Kupffer cells, the complement receptor of the immunoglobulin family
(CRIg). Mice without CRIg could not clear complement system-coated
pathogens. CRIg is conserved in mice and humans and is a critical
component of the innate immune system.

may play an important role in the activation
of LPS-induced Kupffer cells.
PMID: 14627522

Ethanol administration led to a significant
synthesis of endotoxin receptor CD14 protein and its gene
expression in Kupffer cells (KCs), which maybe result in the
pathological changes of liver tissue and hepatic functional
damages.
PMID: 12632533

expressed on the cell surface of monocytes
and hepatic Kupffer cells, interacts with Gram-positive and
Gram-negative bacteria.
PMID: 12185442

The antigen is observed on all known
macrophage populations (including Kupffer cells and
bronchoalveolar macrophages) and is absent from any cell types
that are definitely not mononuclear phagocytes.
PMID: 6524692

functions as the galactose-particle receptor
on the Kupffer cell.
PMID: 8166651

the fucose lectin was shown to be uniquely
present in Kupffer cells and absent in all other types of rat
macrophages examined.
PMID: 3711095

G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase)

G6PD activity were clearly visible in the
cytoplasm and on the cytosolic side of the endoplasmic reticulum
of Kupffer cells. Rat Kupffer cells abundantly possessed enzyme-cytochemically
detectable G6PD activity. G6PD enzyme-cytochemistry may be a
useful tool for the study of Kupffer cell functions.
PMID: 12777215

plays an important role in Kupffer cell
function, especially in phagocytosis activity.
PMID: 12376831